Fiberglass kit cars of the 1950s and ’60s hail from an era
when daydreams could be affordably molded into reality.
Many of them emerged from underdog companies
looking to strike it rich by mixing inexpensive, mass-produced
parts into a winning sports car recipe.

Those who got it right attracted racers and enthusiasts
who couldn’t afford the true exotics. These owners were willing
to put in the sweat equity at home to build and refine
these creations.

Fiberglass-reinforced resin was the key ingredient of this
new movement in car making. When it first appeared on the
scene, it not only gave large companies like Chevrolet and
Studebaker a new medium to sculpt, but it also allowed much
smaller factories to make bodies–and even complete cars–in a
space no larger than a suburban garage.

This sparked a small revolution in the industry, the likes of
which hadn’t been seen since the Brass Era. A surge of fledgling
manufacturers entered the ring, armed with new technology
and an enticing selling point: Their products could make
exotic dreams come true for commuter-car money.

Today, the same holds true. Sure, some of these kit cars
have achieved true collector status–Hagerty’s value guide says
that a V8-powered Devin SS is now worth about $200,000.
But the rest of the field is still as affordable as ever.

Case in point: our own limited-run fiberglass special, a
1958 Tornado Typhoon. We’re restoring and preparing the
roadster for this year’s Amelia Island show field, but the project
is only going to cost us rubber-bumper MGB money.

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About Classic Motorsports

Built for the true classic car enthusiast, each issue of Classic Motorsports features profiles on popular as well as unknown classics, along with comparison tests, useful technical articles, buying guides, personality pieces and more. Learn more about us.